A day in Manang: Thin air and Snow Flurries

As soon as we could we checked out of last night’s teahouse and found a collection of pretty, brightly colored cabins called Alpine Home. The first thing I did was check the WiFi and it happens to be  the best service we’ve had on the entire trip!

We happily settled into the green cabin and we love our hosts who have a gorgeous German Shepard dog named Dundu. 

We have one day to explore Manang and the first stop was the Manang culture museum: Here we learned a bit more about the Himalayan Vulture:

Family: Accipitridae. Adults grow to 103-130cm( 41-51 inches) wingspan reaches 260-310cm (102-122 inches). Adults weigh 8-12 kg (18-26.4 lbs). It is the second largest “Old World Vulture”. It breeds on crags in the mountains of the Himalayas and Tibet, laying a single egg. They form loose colonies and are scavengers feeding on carcasses. It is a typical Vulture with a bald white head, very broad wings and short tail feathers.

Amongst the many items on display were ethnic dress for different occasions, old school farming implements and tools, a typical ethnic kitchen from back in the day as well as bedroom and prayer room all geared up towards daily practice of Tibetan Buddhism.

Around midday we strolled up to the monastery on top of a nearby hill ( without our backpacks, which felt great).

Butshok Gonpa is one of the oldest monasteries in Manang District. Manang is one of the closest neighbors of Tibet and its entire culture and spiritual practice were strongly influenced by Tibetan Buddhism. In Manang everyone has deep devotion to Buddhism and their daily life is very much linked to monastic activities.

People often see the temple as a place they can get in touch with their inner spirit, seeking temporal and ultimate happiness. On this peaceful environment, the elders of the community impart to the younger generation the understanding and practice of the Buddhist tradition.

Historically, the third born son would be sent to become a monk at the age of twelve with much fanfare, but this is no longer the case and becoming a monk is an individual choice now.

The Himalayan Mountain Rescue Association gave a free lecture at 3 pm on recognizing and preventing Acute Mountain Sickness. Following the information we received from the presenting doctor from New Zealand we have decided not to take the Diamox prophylactically but we will certainly use it if even mild symptoms occur. The key is to ascend slowly and no more than 500m per day. Both our oxygen satuations were 91% which is evidently normal for this altitude.

We’d like to thank everyone who is supporting and encouraging us by joining us on the journey from afar via social media and this blog. We appreciate all your comments. A special greeting to young Snake Legs and Mamma Llama and clan: were so happy to be a part of your bedtime stories!

It started snowing this afternoon, little flurries and the weather forecast predicts more snow..... should make for an interesting hike tomorrow!

Hunkering down tonight in our little bungalow and gearing up for the steep ascent ahead.....where the air is thin.